Lewis unconcerned by Brawn rumours

Lewis Hamilton has played down concerns that Ross Brawn's possible departure will be a major blow to the squad...

Lewis Hamilton has played down concerns that Ross Brawn's possible departure will be a major blow to the squad.

Speculation is rife that the 58-year-old Englishman will step down as Merc team principal and also leave the Brackley-based squad at the end of the season.

The team's non-executive director Niki Lauda tried to defuse things earlier this week by claiming "the speculation is total rubbish", adding that Brawn will only decide his future after the Brazilian GP.

Hamilton, though, insists that things won't change much at Mercedes if Brawn ends up leaving.

"When I joined the team there were much bigger reasons why I joined the team and having him was a bonus," Hamilton is quoted as saying by ESPN. "As I've got in to the team and learned who is in the team we've got some incredibly talented people within the team. He's a great boss, he's good fun to work with and he's got a great approach.

"Of course, as a boss he helps create a great atmosphere but that's what hopefully you would expect from all bosses. Whatever decision he makes moving forwards I hope that it's the right thing for him and I'm confident that either way we will have a strong team still."

Brawn has been linked with moves to McLaren and Williams, but many believe he will quit Formula One and Hamilton believes his departure won't be too big a blow for the sport.

"A loss to the sport? I mean, the sport will go on when you're not here, when I'm not here, when he's not here; it will just continue. So whether it's a loss to the sport I don't know. I don't see it that way."